Armed man who threatened police arrested at Walmart on Halloween

Glenwood Spring police officers, along with members of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department All Hazards Response Team, arrested a 26-year-old man outside Wal-Mart on Halloween morning after receiving tips from FBI Portland and other agencies regarding past threats he made to law enforcement officers.

Christopher Kline was arrested the morning of Oct. 31 as he appeared to be reaching towards his waistband and was resisting arrest, according to a police affidavit filed with the 9th Judicial District Court in Garfield County.

Upon searching him, deputies found a 9mm handgun in a holster attached to his belt below his stomach, according to the affidavit. Among his charges were attempted assault in the first degree and attempt to influence a public servant.

Glenwood Springs Police Chief Terry Wilson praised the quick response by the AHRT, which saw an opportunity to use non-lethal force in what could have been a very different type of confrontation.

“[AHRT officers] put themselves in position where they were close enough and were hidden behind vehicles [so that] he didn’t have enough time to get his gun,” Wilson explained. “They were on him physically and restrained him immediately.”